Spring is upon us, and it’s time to perform annual maintenance on your iron or aluminum fence! So while you’re out and about in your yard doing other annual spring maintenance, it’s a good idea to to take a look at your fence and do a little inspection. In this week’s blog we’ll talk about some of the things you can do for your iron or aluminum fence this spring.
Spring Fence Maintenance
Initial Inspection
The first thing to do is to take a walk around the perimeter of the fence line and do an inspection of the fence. Look for several things:
- Chips in the paint
- Rust
- Visible damage to the fence from fallen branches, etc.
- Dislodged fence posts
- Loose earth around fence posts
- Areas where water could pool around fence posts
- Areas where branches overhang the fence
- Areas where shrubs/vegetation grow in close proximity to the fence
Paint Chips/Rust
If you find an area where the paint is chipping or peeling, repaint it as soon as possible. Exposed fence is more likely to rust. Read our blog on painting an iron fence for more information.
If you find rust on the fence, you’ll have to remove it and then repaint it. Here’s how to remove rust from an iron fence.
Visible Damage/Dislodged Fence Posts
If you find visible damage, contact your fence repair contractor to fix it. The same goes for dislodged fence posts, which could compromise the structural integrity of the fence.
Loose Earth/Dips Around Fence Posts
If you find loose earth or dips around fence posts where water could collect, it’s time to do a little earth moving. This is because loose earth or depressions around the post could cause the post itself to come loose and dislodge itself. Pack down/add earth until the area is level with the surrounding area.
Branches/Vegetation
You don’t want anything to grow too close to or over your fence. Branches present a hazard because they could fall and damage the fence, and vegetation that grows around the fence could weaken it over time. Make sure to trim back shrubs and limbs to keep the area around the fence clear.
Hercules Custom Iron has more than 70 years of experience crafting ornamental iron and quality aluminum in its in-house manufacturing facility. Contact Us today to learn more about how we can help you with your next custom iron, specialty metal or aluminum project! Also, be sure to follow Hercules Custom Iron on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!